Flintshire students launch petition for footpath outside school

14-year-old pupil Emma fears blind corners and speeding drivers will result in tragedy

Argoed High pupils Emma Pryce and Maddison Wood with fellow classmates who have launched petition to have footpath installed on Bryn Road.

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A petition set up by a group of Argoed High School students in a desperate bid to protect their peers from speeding drivers has been signed by more than 600 people.

Set up by the school’s Leadership Committee, which is led by teacher Sarah Salisbury, the petition calls for Flintshire County Council to install a footpath along Bryn Road in Mynydd Isa – the main walking route for pupils – before there is an accident and someone is hurt.

Emma Pryce, 14, is one of the students pushing the campaign.

She explained that concerns about the road were raised at a recent meeting of the school’s leadership committee, of which she is a member.

She described the road as ‘dangerous’ and explained that too many motorists drive in excess of the 30mph speed limit.

In an email to Buckley councillor Carol Ellis, Emma said: “Bryn Road has many blind corners. Many pupils and residents use this road on a daily basis and without a footpath it is very unsafe with the constant risk of an accident.

“It is also a concern that on this road there is no clear speed limit, there isn’t a sign which says the maximum speed.

“On a daily basis travelling to school it is clear that drivers are driving in excess of 30mph.”

Emma argues that the cost of installing a 960m (0.6-mile) footpath along Bryn Road would be around £160,000, which the group feels is a small price to pay to prevent what could be serious accident occurring in the future.

Cllr Ellis has been campaigning for a footpath to be built on the road for years and has written to both the director and senior manager of Environment at Flintshire County Council on numerous occasions to voice her concerns.

She added: “Bryn Road has always been contentious.

“I recall lots of minor accidents on there, most recently a woman who was clipped by a wing mirror and knocked into a ditch.

“So far we have been lucky and there haven’t been any major incidents but more and more children and drivers are using that road each day and it needs a footpath to keep them safe.

“I really admire the young girl and her fellow students for pushing this petition and will help them in anyway I can.”

“As well as the online petition she also has a paper one and has so far collected more than 600 signatures.

“She went on the internet and found all the councillors in the Buckley and Argoed area and contacted 27 of them, along with the local PCSO who got in touch with Go Safe.

“I think there’s lots more to come – I’m just so pleased that she received such positive feedback from the councillors, they’re been really good.

“I’m really proud of Emma, she is really trying her hardest.

“They know its an uphill battle for all of them but hopefully if they keep pressing for the path it will come off.”

Neal Cockerton, head of Assets and Transportation for Flintshire County Council, said: "Following a recently completed feasibility study proposals for a new footway scheme, including a street lighting system, have been identified for the route used by pupils walking to Argoed High School.

"This scheme, along with a number of others, will be considered, prioritised and taken forward as part of a future bidding round to Welsh Government for Safe Routes in Communities funding.

"The road outside the school is already subject to a 30mph limit and a speed activated sign is situated on the approach to Argoed High school entrance."